Nagpur: Even as Nagpur is yet to match metro cities in diagnosis, treatment and intervention of
Cerebral Palsy (CP), there has been tremendous development in all these three aspects.
In fact, the attitude of parents, society and doctors has improved a lot while dealing with CP patients. However, a lot needs to be done in the rehabilitation of CP-affected persons.
Dr Meenakshi Wankhede, a physiotherapist, said that though doctors now refer CP children to physiotherapists and occupational therapists, there is need for developing more resources in government sector in these fields as majority still visit government facilities for diagnosis and treatment.
“Rehabilitation of these children should be best available in government set-ups. There is a need for remedial teachers and special educators. Instruments and equipment needed to minimize the disability are available in government, but CP children require customized equipment for better rehabilitation,” she said.
Latika Kharwade, who has twin sons of 18 years studying in Std X, said that the when her sons were small, getting admission in schools for such special children was extremely difficult. Schools and students’ parents were just not ready to accept CP children.
“They were not to be blamed fully as they were not prepared to face complications like convulsions and seizures of CP children and what followed it. But things have changed in the last decade. Schools, especially B R Mundle School where my sons are studying, are very receptive to all types of special children,” she said.
Kharwade said that parents need to be equally cooperative and dedicated as schools for best management of their children. As the children grow older, more problems come up in handling them. “Most schools do not have lifts. CP children have some or the other disability in climbing. I face tough time taking them through stairs,” she added.
Dr Amarjeet Wagh, paediatric neurologist, admitted that acceptability of CP children has increased due to availability of diagnostic and treatment facilities, but said that to some extent, these children are wrongly labelled. All facilities are not under one roof. However, recently a District Early Intervention Centre has come up in Daga Hospital and another centre has come up in Yeshwant stadium.
“Now, parents are very hopeful. Everyone wants CP child to achieve normal milestones in life. The caregivers now have also become more professional. They work towards making the person as much independent as possible,” he said.
Dr Dinesh Saroj, developmental paediatrician, said that parents are now more aware and bring children to doctor for early intervention. “But in CP children, the intervention is always multi-modal and only team work can improve their status. Right from a neurologist to a physiotherapist to a speech therapist and paediatric neurologists, all must work in tandem to get them going,” he said.
